- Email: [email protected]
Continuing the Dreaming
Continuing the Dreaming
surviving indigenous group in the world. Painted symbols on rocks and as body Papunya Tula: genesis and genius decoration had been part of Aboriginal An exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. culture for thousands of years. Through Part of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Arts Festival. Showing until the new media of acrylic paints and Nov 12, 2000. board, the community discovered a way to re-establish their connection with the he landmark exhibition Papunya Aboriginal elementary school in land they had lost and again found a Tula: genesis and genius charts a Papunya (near Alice Springs in voice in the world. Over the years their 28-year history of Papunya Central Australia), who developed art became very popular, as the world artists in Australia. Consisting of some a close relationship with the local began to explore indigenous artforms. 130 paintings gathered from collections Aboriginal people and an appreciation of In the 1980s many of the Papunya around the world, it focuses on tjukurrpa the unique culture surrounding artists moved back to their traditional or “Dreamings” and western desert him. He made homelands, where indigenous people’s desire to return to a bold move they continued to their homelands. It is also about a to strengthen his paint. community of artists maintaining their students’ pride Continuing their connections to their Dreamings for and identificatraditions was not future generations. tion with their easy, and it is a The settlement known as Papunya Aboriginal herchallenge this was established in 1959 to facilitate the itage: he assigned group of artists still assimilation process of desert peoples, his students an faces today. When many of whom were settled unwillingly art project. the Armyatree, into this new community having been The mural was Arrente, Liritja, forcibly removed from their traditional to tell the story Pintupi, and lands. They travelled from Kintore, of the honeyWarlpiri people Kiwirrkurra, Mt Liebig, and Papuyna, ant Dreaming. were moved to regions that extend over 720 km west of However, the Papunya, the intenAlice Springs. painting did not tion was to keep The relocation process disposessed progress the way Aboriginal people these people from their traditional lands. he had hoped it isolated from Yet after a time they began to call would. He had non-indigenous Papunya home. They continued their not understood Australians. Today Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi, Home of snake traditional ceremonies, dance, and song, the complexities a result of this isoin water (1972) formed an art community, and of painting the lation is poor continued the Dreaming. Dreaming and was to find out that the access to services such as health treatHetti Perkins, the curator of painting was not just about the students ment, particularly in areas associated this exhibition, tells the story of Geoffrey at the school, but instead involved the with renal treatment and dialysis. Bardon, a white Australian teacher in an whole community. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is He was to reaching epidemic proportions in the discover that Northern Territory, where the Medical there were many Journal of Australia states that survival restrictions on the rates are significantly worse for ritual act of indigenous patients compared with the painting tjukurrpa, rest of the population. In the state of on the basis of New South Wales the incidence of individuals’ perESRD among Aboriginal people is sonal heritage and lower; researchers conclude that this is degree of initiation. perhaps a result of a less profound socioSeveral local elders economic disadvantage and better access became involved, to primary and specialist care. and the project was The indigenous community at a success. Papunya and their medical staff urgently Australian want to provide a dialysis facility within Aboriginal people the Pintupi Homelands Health Service. are believed to Currently, artists and community elders Uta Uta Tjangala, Old man’s Dreaming (1983) be the oldest are forced to travel across country up to
Courtesy of Art Gallery of South Australia, ©Aboriginal Artists Agency
Courtesy of National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, ©Aboriginal Artists Agency
T
THE LANCET • Vol 356 • November 4, 2000
1613
For personal use only. Not to be reproduced without permission of The Lancet.
Private collection, ©Aboriginal Artists Agency
DISSECTING ROOM
Shorty Lungkata Tjungurrayi, Untitled (1972)
500km to Alice Springs in order to get the health treatment they need. The distances involved and a reluctance to move away from the homelands means some community people choose to forego treatment in order to remain in the community. The Western Desert Dialysis Appeal has been set up as part of the exhibition to raise money for a dialysis facility at Papunya.
Leishmaniases—not just for Leishmaniacs CD-ROM: Topics in international health—Leishmaniasis The Wellcome Trust. Wallingford: CABI Publishing, 2000. £120·00 (institutional) £30·00 (individual). ISBN 0851993702. eishmaniasis is the second major protozoosis (after malaria) to be covered by the Topics in International Health collection of interactive programs. Actually, when speaking about this disease the plural should always be used, since Leishmaniases are tremendously diverse and complex. This CD-ROM perfectly illustrates this concept and offers an adequate tool for progressively understanding Leishmaniases. Tutorials may be likened to ski-slopes: the overview (blue slope) allows bio-medical students and apprentice leishmaniacs and their teachers to acquire a general but in-depth perception of the disease. Those interested in a more challenging run on a red or black slope, may move to one of the nine other tutorials that cover specialised topics. Practitioners will find an impressive description of clinical cases, recommended diagnostic procedures, and therapeutic regimens. Workers in intervention programmes may learn or refresh their memories through packages on epidemiology, vector biology, prevention, or control. Researchers will get a well structured and detailed review of their favourite topics. Finally, additional (off-piste) information may be encountered in the publications and websites recommended at the end of each tutorial. An excellent companion (although currently out of print) for this CD-ROM is The Leishmaniasis in Biology and Medicine by Peters & Killick-Kendrick (Academic Press, 1987). The sources are complementary: the CD-ROM is up
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to date and places more emphasis on the practical than on the theory, while the book is obviously independent of access to a PC (sorry, no Mac version yet available) or an electricity supply. Hyperspecialisation is a risk for researchers, and Leishmaniacs, myself included, are no exception. The userfriendly and fast-reading tools offered by this CD-ROM will undoubtedly help us have a deep look into aspects adjacent to our speciality, which may be fruitful for turning up some lines of investigation. Interestingly, if the user is still unfamiliar with some fundamental aspects, for example, cellular immunology, there is an opportunity to revise them. NonLeishmaniacs may also benefit from this interactive program. Indeed, Leishmaniases are an excellent model to get a global view of a parasitic disease that involves disciplines as various as ecology, epidemiology, taxonomy, entomology, cell biology, and immunology. Among these disciplines, molecular biology is not covered extensively in this version, despite abundant work being carried out at many centres around the world. This lack might be because many molecular-biology studies are aimed at basic, rather than clinical research. However, in a postgenomic era, a specific chapter on this topic may be an idea for inclusion in future versions. The image collection is abundant (834 pictures)—although the instructions could be made clearer—but with imagination they should be helpful in preparing specific presentations. Do not leave the gallery open while away from
Artists have collaborated on four significant paintings, which Sotheby’s will auction at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on Nov 12, 2000. The four artworks are the result of a collaborative community effort and form part of the exhibition. The artworks displayed in this exhibition represent not only the generations of artists since the 1970s, but also the continuation of a movement that has had a profound influence on the development of Australian art. They form part of a historical record of indigenous Australians yearning for their ancient homelands and finding new avenues of expression. Shirley J Gilbert University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052; [email protected]
your PC, since some pictures, such as those of mucocutaneous or disseminated leishmaniases might shock sensitive people. Besides these impressive pictures, the animations are relaxing and deserve a particular comment. Two sequences explain how the parasites undergo phagocytosis and are then “sacrificed” for either antigenic presentation and immunomodulation of the host or survive within the phagolysosome. This remarkable lesson on successful parasitism is essential for understanding subclinical and clinical leishmania infections. The cartoon concept should be extended in up-graded versions, animating, for instance, the molecular changes that occur during parasite differentiation or the formation of a granuloma. Trypanosomatids cause a lot of diseases around the world. A yearly incidence of 2 million is reported for Leishmaniases, and coinfection with HIV increases the susceptible population at risk of leishmaniasis and substantially reduces the effectiveness of treatment. The frequency of American trypanosomiasis is decreasing thanks to efficient control programmes, but vigilance needs to be maintained. The risk of resurgence is shown by the dramatic increase of African trypanosomiasis during the past few years. These parasites should not be forgotten, and extensive up-to-date reviews will avoid this happening. Hopefully, the CD-ROM on Leishmaniases will be the first act of a trypanosomatid trilogy. Jean-Claude Dujardin Protozoology, Parasite Genomics “Prins Leopold” Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde, 155 Nationalestraat, B-2000 Antwerpen, Belgium [email protected]
THE LANCET • Vol 356 • November 4, 2000
For personal use only. Not to be reproduced without permission of The Lancet.
surviving indigenous group in the world. Painted symbols on rocks and as body Papunya Tula: genesis and genius decoration had been part of Aboriginal An exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. culture for thousands of years. Through Part of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Arts Festival. Showing until the new media of acrylic paints and Nov 12, 2000. board, the community discovered a way to re-establish their connection with the he landmark exhibition Papunya Aboriginal elementary school in land they had lost and again found a Tula: genesis and genius charts a Papunya (near Alice Springs in voice in the world. Over the years their 28-year history of Papunya Central Australia), who developed art became very popular, as the world artists in Australia. Consisting of some a close relationship with the local began to explore indigenous artforms. 130 paintings gathered from collections Aboriginal people and an appreciation of In the 1980s many of the Papunya around the world, it focuses on tjukurrpa the unique culture surrounding artists moved back to their traditional or “Dreamings” and western desert him. He made homelands, where indigenous people’s desire to return to a bold move they continued to their homelands. It is also about a to strengthen his paint. community of artists maintaining their students’ pride Continuing their connections to their Dreamings for and identificatraditions was not future generations. tion with their easy, and it is a The settlement known as Papunya Aboriginal herchallenge this was established in 1959 to facilitate the itage: he assigned group of artists still assimilation process of desert peoples, his students an faces today. When many of whom were settled unwillingly art project. the Armyatree, into this new community having been The mural was Arrente, Liritja, forcibly removed from their traditional to tell the story Pintupi, and lands. They travelled from Kintore, of the honeyWarlpiri people Kiwirrkurra, Mt Liebig, and Papuyna, ant Dreaming. were moved to regions that extend over 720 km west of However, the Papunya, the intenAlice Springs. painting did not tion was to keep The relocation process disposessed progress the way Aboriginal people these people from their traditional lands. he had hoped it isolated from Yet after a time they began to call would. He had non-indigenous Papunya home. They continued their not understood Australians. Today Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi, Home of snake traditional ceremonies, dance, and song, the complexities a result of this isoin water (1972) formed an art community, and of painting the lation is poor continued the Dreaming. Dreaming and was to find out that the access to services such as health treatHetti Perkins, the curator of painting was not just about the students ment, particularly in areas associated this exhibition, tells the story of Geoffrey at the school, but instead involved the with renal treatment and dialysis. Bardon, a white Australian teacher in an whole community. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is He was to reaching epidemic proportions in the discover that Northern Territory, where the Medical there were many Journal of Australia states that survival restrictions on the rates are significantly worse for ritual act of indigenous patients compared with the painting tjukurrpa, rest of the population. In the state of on the basis of New South Wales the incidence of individuals’ perESRD among Aboriginal people is sonal heritage and lower; researchers conclude that this is degree of initiation. perhaps a result of a less profound socioSeveral local elders economic disadvantage and better access became involved, to primary and specialist care. and the project was The indigenous community at a success. Papunya and their medical staff urgently Australian want to provide a dialysis facility within Aboriginal people the Pintupi Homelands Health Service. are believed to Currently, artists and community elders Uta Uta Tjangala, Old man’s Dreaming (1983) be the oldest are forced to travel across country up to
Courtesy of Art Gallery of South Australia, ©Aboriginal Artists Agency
Courtesy of National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, ©Aboriginal Artists Agency
T
THE LANCET • Vol 356 • November 4, 2000
1613
For personal use only. Not to be reproduced without permission of The Lancet.
Private collection, ©Aboriginal Artists Agency
DISSECTING ROOM
Shorty Lungkata Tjungurrayi, Untitled (1972)
500km to Alice Springs in order to get the health treatment they need. The distances involved and a reluctance to move away from the homelands means some community people choose to forego treatment in order to remain in the community. The Western Desert Dialysis Appeal has been set up as part of the exhibition to raise money for a dialysis facility at Papunya.
Leishmaniases—not just for Leishmaniacs CD-ROM: Topics in international health—Leishmaniasis The Wellcome Trust. Wallingford: CABI Publishing, 2000. £120·00 (institutional) £30·00 (individual). ISBN 0851993702. eishmaniasis is the second major protozoosis (after malaria) to be covered by the Topics in International Health collection of interactive programs. Actually, when speaking about this disease the plural should always be used, since Leishmaniases are tremendously diverse and complex. This CD-ROM perfectly illustrates this concept and offers an adequate tool for progressively understanding Leishmaniases. Tutorials may be likened to ski-slopes: the overview (blue slope) allows bio-medical students and apprentice leishmaniacs and their teachers to acquire a general but in-depth perception of the disease. Those interested in a more challenging run on a red or black slope, may move to one of the nine other tutorials that cover specialised topics. Practitioners will find an impressive description of clinical cases, recommended diagnostic procedures, and therapeutic regimens. Workers in intervention programmes may learn or refresh their memories through packages on epidemiology, vector biology, prevention, or control. Researchers will get a well structured and detailed review of their favourite topics. Finally, additional (off-piste) information may be encountered in the publications and websites recommended at the end of each tutorial. An excellent companion (although currently out of print) for this CD-ROM is The Leishmaniasis in Biology and Medicine by Peters & Killick-Kendrick (Academic Press, 1987). The sources are complementary: the CD-ROM is up
L
1614
to date and places more emphasis on the practical than on the theory, while the book is obviously independent of access to a PC (sorry, no Mac version yet available) or an electricity supply. Hyperspecialisation is a risk for researchers, and Leishmaniacs, myself included, are no exception. The userfriendly and fast-reading tools offered by this CD-ROM will undoubtedly help us have a deep look into aspects adjacent to our speciality, which may be fruitful for turning up some lines of investigation. Interestingly, if the user is still unfamiliar with some fundamental aspects, for example, cellular immunology, there is an opportunity to revise them. NonLeishmaniacs may also benefit from this interactive program. Indeed, Leishmaniases are an excellent model to get a global view of a parasitic disease that involves disciplines as various as ecology, epidemiology, taxonomy, entomology, cell biology, and immunology. Among these disciplines, molecular biology is not covered extensively in this version, despite abundant work being carried out at many centres around the world. This lack might be because many molecular-biology studies are aimed at basic, rather than clinical research. However, in a postgenomic era, a specific chapter on this topic may be an idea for inclusion in future versions. The image collection is abundant (834 pictures)—although the instructions could be made clearer—but with imagination they should be helpful in preparing specific presentations. Do not leave the gallery open while away from
Artists have collaborated on four significant paintings, which Sotheby’s will auction at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on Nov 12, 2000. The four artworks are the result of a collaborative community effort and form part of the exhibition. The artworks displayed in this exhibition represent not only the generations of artists since the 1970s, but also the continuation of a movement that has had a profound influence on the development of Australian art. They form part of a historical record of indigenous Australians yearning for their ancient homelands and finding new avenues of expression. Shirley J Gilbert University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052; [email protected]
your PC, since some pictures, such as those of mucocutaneous or disseminated leishmaniases might shock sensitive people. Besides these impressive pictures, the animations are relaxing and deserve a particular comment. Two sequences explain how the parasites undergo phagocytosis and are then “sacrificed” for either antigenic presentation and immunomodulation of the host or survive within the phagolysosome. This remarkable lesson on successful parasitism is essential for understanding subclinical and clinical leishmania infections. The cartoon concept should be extended in up-graded versions, animating, for instance, the molecular changes that occur during parasite differentiation or the formation of a granuloma. Trypanosomatids cause a lot of diseases around the world. A yearly incidence of 2 million is reported for Leishmaniases, and coinfection with HIV increases the susceptible population at risk of leishmaniasis and substantially reduces the effectiveness of treatment. The frequency of American trypanosomiasis is decreasing thanks to efficient control programmes, but vigilance needs to be maintained. The risk of resurgence is shown by the dramatic increase of African trypanosomiasis during the past few years. These parasites should not be forgotten, and extensive up-to-date reviews will avoid this happening. Hopefully, the CD-ROM on Leishmaniases will be the first act of a trypanosomatid trilogy. Jean-Claude Dujardin Protozoology, Parasite Genomics “Prins Leopold” Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde, 155 Nationalestraat, B-2000 Antwerpen, Belgium [email protected]
THE LANCET • Vol 356 • November 4, 2000
For personal use only. Not to be reproduced without permission of The Lancet.